I had not really planned on taking this trip and yet I found
myself packing rather hurriedly. This trip was going to
be unpleasant. It is my annual “Guilt Trip.”
I got tickets to fly there on “Wish-I-Had” airlines. It was
a very short flight. I got my “baggage,” which I could not
check. I chose to carry it myself all the way. It was loaded
down with a thousand memories of “what might have been.”
No one greeted me as I entered the terminal to the Regret
City International Airport. It is international because people
worldwide come to this dismal town.
As I checked into the “Last Resort” Hotel, I noticed that
they would be hosting the year’s most important event -
the “Pity Party.” I was not going to miss that great social
occasion. Many of the town’s leading citizens would be
there.
First, there would be the “Done” family, comprising
“Should Have,” “Would Have” and “Could Have.” Then
came the “I Had” family, which was made up of old “Wish”
and his children. Of course, the “Opportunities” family,
consisting of “Missed” and “Lost,” would be present too.
The biggest family there would be the “Yesterday’s.”
There are far too many of them to count but each one
would have a sad story to share. Certainly, “Shattered
Dreams” would make an appearance. The “It’s Their Fault”
family would regale us with stories (excuses) about how
things had failed in their life. Each story would be loudly
applauded by the “Don’t Blame Me” and “I Couldn’t Help
It” committee.
In short, I went to this party and as expected, I became
very depressed. But as I thought about all the stories of past
failures, it occurred to me that I could choose not to go to
anymore “pity parties”!
And I did not have to be depressed. I cannot change
yesterday but I do have the power to make today wonderful. I
can be happy, joyous, fulfilled, encouraged and encouraging.
Am I sorry for the mistakes I made in the past? Yes! But there
is no way to undo them. So I left Regret City immediately.
If you are planning a trip to Regret City, please cancel it.
Instead, take a trip to a nice place called: “Starting Again.”
I like it so much that I made it my permanent residence.
My neighbours, the “Been Forgiven” and the “Were
Saved,” are so very helpful. By the way, you don’t have to
carry around the heavy baggage anymore either. That load
is lifted from your shoulders upon arrival. But don?t take my
word for it, find out for yourself.
